Cynthia Gupte MBBCh, FRCR, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Chinmay Gupte, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Adrian Kuok Pheng Lim MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Rhidian Thomas, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Anthony Bull, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Andrew Amis, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To correlate arthroscopic appearances of the anterior and posterior meniscofemoral ligaments (aMFL and pMFL respectively) with their appearances on magnetic resonance imaging.

MRI scans were performed in 50 knees in 50 patients. The radiological presence or absence of the MFLs was assessed by examination of sequential coronal and sagittal proton density/DESS and fat suppressed T2 weighted MRI scans. Arthroscopic examination of the knees was performed, during which the MFLs were identified using several anatomical cues.

From 50 knees 43 (86%) aMFLs and 9 (18%) pMFLs were identified on MRI scanning, whilst 47 (94%) aMFLs and 5 (10%) pMFLs were identified arthroscopically. Identification of the presence or absence of the aMFL was classed as easy in all 47 (94%) knees, whilst the pMFL was easy to identify in only 5 (10%), of which 3 (6%) had a ruptured PCL. Using arthroscopy of the aMFL as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of MRI in detecting the aMFL were 84% and 71%, respectively. Equivalent values for the pMFL were not calculated due to the difficulty of identifying the pMFL arthroscopically. Thus, with the exception of PCL-deficient knees, it was felt that many pMFLs were missed due to difficulties in identification through anterior portals.

This is the first study correlating the MRI appearances of the MFLs with arthroscopic findings. MRI is relatively sensitive in identifying the aMFL, but its accuracy in identifying the pMFL remains undetermined. Clinical relevance: Accurate identification of the MFLs at MRI is of value when assessing the status of the PCL, as these ligaments may contribute to stabilising the PCL-deficient knee. This will also aid future studies examining the role of the MFLs in stabilising the PCL-deficient knee.  

Accurate identification of the MFLs at MRI is of value when assessing the status of the PCL, as these ligaments may contribute to stabilising the PCL-deficient knee.

Gupte, C, Gupte, C, Lim, A, Thomas, R, Bull, A, Amis, A, Arthroscopic Appearances of the Meniscofemoral Ligaments Correlated with Magnetic Resonance Imaging.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9016189.html